Andrea Pflaumer's Blog, page 5

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Yeah, I know, decadence is a dirty word these days, especially when everyone is pushing you to go all minimalist in your closet, your kitchen, your vehicle, for the environment, for the planet, etc.

But I’m not talking about  the kind of indulgence that inspires laziness or depravity. I mean the kind that allows you to feel a little sinful…without actually being sinful.

Think about the things that you would love to have, to do, to eat, but deny yourself regularly because they are (choose as many as apply) fattening, too expensive, not available locally, out of your comfort  zone, not on your health regimen, or that if you try once you’re afraid you’d get hooked.”

Silk and Wool Shawl on Amazon

Or maybe just things that your friends, family or religious institutions “just don’t do,”

I want to give you permission to be decadent. Here’s what I mean.

Indulge. Buy that gorgeous shawl, even if you only place it somewhere to look at it on the wall or love seeing it in your closet.

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Eat that one éclair, or luscious pastry. (I did say “one.”) And thoroughly enjoy it, every single bite. Eat it as if every morsel was manna from heaven, nurturing your every cell.

Take something you regularly launder to the cleaners and let them do it for you. Hire someone to do something that is becoming difficult, annoying, or just plain unpleasant for you to do.

Go get a manicure or pedicure. Really can’t afford it? Then put it on your wish list for your next birthday or special occasion – ask for a gift certificates for it for your next birthday.

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Do you see that a cookie, sandwich, piece of chicken, or a last banana that you were saving for someone else to eat? Eat it. Sit down, take a breath and enjoy it. Nobody will die if you do this. This is especially important if you tend to be the martyr in the house. It tells the other members of the family that you matter too.

Yes, I hear some of you: “with the kids and our budget and my responsibilities, these are impossible.”

OK, then simply carve out the time to do any single one of these other things.

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Make yourself a cup of tea, coffee, or pour yourself a glass of wine, shut a door, grab a cozy wrap, and sit down with a book you have been wanting to read. Or put on your headphones and listen to your favorite music or a podcast you have wanted  to hear.

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Or go somewhere, alone, without a “purpose” other than to spend time enjoying yourself. Walk slowly, as if you had all the time in the world and nothing else to do, nowhere pressing to go. Indulge” in every beautiful, interesting, joyful, unexpected thing you see or person you encounter. Walk into that interesting store that you have passed and wondered about. Sit down in a café or park and people-watch.

I think you get the idea. This form of “decadence” puts you more in touch with your body and less “in your mind.” Letting go of the “shoulds, musts, or have tos” from time to time releases you from a lot of physical and psychological tension. You will feel more relaxed. A practical benefit is that you will make decisions from a more relaxed state instead of from a worried, anxious, or pressured one. That’s because, unlike the way mind often fools us, the body doesn’t lie.

When you create a sense of luxury in your life, starting with even little luxuries, eventually a more luxurious life becomes your reality.

I would love to hear what your form of “decadence” might be!

The post 31 Days of Self-Care: Day 11, Do Something Decadent appeared first on Shopping for the Real You.

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Just as the universe loves a cheerful giver, the world loves a person who can laugh. Laughter is one of those things that can be had for next to nothing. Anyone who has toddlers or little kids or pets probably laughs every single day. (My husband and I often said our dog was put on earth with one job: to make us laugh every day. She excelled at that.)

The benefits of laughing are very wide-ranging: physical, mental, emotional, and social. So let’s look at the many benefits to be had from laughing regularly, and then some of my suggestions for how to get a good laugh.

Physical Benefits of Laughing

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For starters, laughter is both stimulating and relaxing. Some of its most notable benefits are found in the area of cardiovascular health. A hearty laugh causes you to take in more oxygen-rich air, stimulating your lungs, heart and muscles. It improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow. And, it releases endorphins, those “happy” hormones that lower your blood pressure and can relieve physical pain. All of that can help protect you against a heart attack and numerous other cardiovascular problems.

Not only does it flood the body with more happy hormones, it also releases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies. Stanford University Medical School researcher, Dr. William Fry, discovered that people who laugh release more disease fighting T-cells from the spleen into the bloodstream. And in Norway researchers found that people with a good sense of humor tended to outlive more dour folks. This was particularly true for cancer patients.

And here’s one you might really appreciate: laughter helps you burn calories! In one study researchers discovered that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn about 40 calories. Assuming your weight is steady, you could lose three or four pounds a year by just laughing! Also, it reduces the stress hormones that can contribute to weight gain.

A good hearty laugh will also relax your muscles for a good 45 minutes.

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It’s not always easy to see the humor in difficult situations. But I have always admired friends who are able to do this. It is extremely disarming. It’s also pretty hard to be angry at someone who can laugh at themselves and their own foibles. Granted, you need the “funny” gene to pull this one off consistently. But if you can see the funny side of a problem or conflict, you can rapidly de-escalate it. And when you both can laugh at it, voila! Problem solved. Laughter can help you release anger and feel more stable.

People tend to gravitate to those who are more cheerful. That’s because those with chronic emotional conditions like depression and anxiety have a much harder time forming and keeping relationships. If they are regularly are exposed to funny situations, movies, books, etc. they become easier to be around. And they will be happier in themselves as well. The hormones associated with laughter can also diminish a person’s stress levels, improving how they feel about themselves.

Alright, I hear you saying that we haven’t had much to laugh about for a while. But that’s all the more reason to laugh. You just have to create an opportunity to laugh. I recently polled some of my friends and readers for their favorite laugh-out-loud movies. Many people suggested the same ones. (I tried to do the same with book recommendations, but they were all over the map. People have wildly differing opinions about what is a funny read.) Here are those that Bravo thinks are the 100 funniest comedies.

And here are some of the ones my readers and friends suggested:

Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein

Caddyshack

Best in Show

Monty Python’s Life of Brian

A Fish Called Wanda

Pink Panther

Hail Caesar! (VERY quirky but hilarious)

Talladega Nights

Anchorman

This is Spinal Tap

Blazing Saddles

Coming to America (the original)

Bowfinger

Airplane

Galaxy Quest

I hope some of them get you laughing. And if you have some others, let me know!

The post 31 Days of Self-Care: Day 9, Laugh Every Day appeared first on Shopping for the Real You.

Suzanne Blons, the Beauty Shaman

Today you are in for a real treat. My YouTube guest is Suzanne Blons, The Beauty Shaman. Suzanne began her career as a professional model for Elite Modeling Agency in New York, where she worked with some of the greatest international fashion photographers of the era. You might remember her as the Charlie Girl for Revlon. She eventually turned her attention to studying beauty and skin care.

Now she has developed one of the most popular beauty websites and is the Makeup Department Head at Gaia TV, an online consciousness media network based in Boulder, Colorado.

On her wildly popular YouTube channel she offers educational content for the mature woman. In our interview she shares her expertise about essentials for creating healthy skin and the importance of building the “scaffolding” first.

Toward the end of the segment she describes a few products that she personally recommends. Now, before we ever spoke I wrote to her to explain that I never recommend products that have parabens, toxins, allergens, or any other funky stuff.  She was exactly on the same page. She absolutely agrees, and says that these products are “clean.” I was just so delighted. She is a delight.

I know you will love this interview. Here’s the YouTube link.

Here are the supplements she described that benefit the skin: Vitamin C and Omega 3-6-9. They are generally considered safe supplements, but I encourage you to do your own research into the dosages that would be right for you.

And here are the products she likes:

C Serum from Truth Treatment Systems

Truth Treatment Systems C Balm

Truth Treatment Systems Retinol

Stay beautiful – inside and out!

[I receive no compensation from any of the products shown here.]

The post 31 Days of Self-Care Day 8: Skin Care From the Inside Out appeared first on Shopping for the Real You.

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We have all heard about people who were either “left-brained” or “right-brained.” In general, the left hemisphere of our brain governs our logical, analytical and objective thinking and the right hemisphere governs creative, emotional, and intuitive thinking. There are great advantages to developing both.

One benefit of using both sides of the brain is that it makes the ability to focus and recall information easier. Also, because of their opposite qualities, as you engage both sides of your brain you will find your mind becoming both more powerful and more peaceful. That means that you might respond with less anxiety, anger or depression. You will start feeling happier and more optimistic.

Another major benefit is that you will develop more holistic insights into people and the workings of the world. Here’s a great example from a very successful ivy league grad I know. When he applied for his freshman year at Princeton he learned that he was expected to take many humanities courses before diving deeper into his engineering major. The university administration simply wanted their students to become well-rounded human beings, not just people who were good at regurgitating facts and data. He felt that his exposure to those other disciplines back in college profoundly impacted the way he approached the development of his award-winning engineering projects.

Synchronizing our Brain Hemispheres

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There are many ways to balance your brain hemispheres. You may have read that doing crossword puzzles, word games or math exercises will do this. But depending on which side of your brain is dominant, those may simply be reinforcing abilities that you already have. The key is to do something that is challenging, something that requires a new skill.

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The best skills will require using both sides of the brain. One of the most important developmental skills for a baby is to learn how to crawl, placing one arm and the opposite leg forward, and then repeating the action on the other side. That simple movement engages both brain hemispheres. So consider the various physical exercises one can do that require both sides of the body. Dancing is great for this. Learning to play an instrument is another. Every musical instrument – from keyboards to strings, from wind instruments to percussion – require using both hands, and in the case of pianos and drums, the feet as well!

Speaking of feet, an exercise that both my chiropractor and physical therapist recommend is to stand on your less dominant leg while doing things like washing dishes. Or, try writing with your non-dominant hand. A man I know who has a PhD in Psychology, has also become a fine artist. He often practices drawing by first using his right hand, and then his left.

Other Ways to Balance the Brain

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But yes, puzzles and games will also help synchronize the hemispheres of the brain. Again, pick something that you’re not good at. So if you like word puzzles and games, try a math puzzle instead. Or take up juggling, and start with your non-dominant hand. Or try taking a different route to a destination than your usual one. Or just start singing! If you think you’re not very good at it, all the more reason to do it!

Learning a new language is considered a left-brain activity. But recent research indicates that babies begin learning language by identifying basic sounds. That process of distinguishing the acoustic details of the sound requires engagement of the right brain. So now’s a good time to take that language class or use that series of Italian language DVDs you bought but never opened!

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Another method is a “pranayama” breathing technique. (“Prana” in Sanskrit roughly translates to “breath” or life force.) This one is really simple. You just cover one nostril with your thumb and inhale through the other nostril, hold the breath for just a few seconds, then switch; cover the other nostril with your index finger, exhale, and then inhale on the open side, hold that for a few seconds, switch sides, and repeat. You just do this for a few minutes daily.

And of course, meditation is a powerful way to balance the hemispheres of the brain. My own practice is Transcendental Meditation® which I have been doing for 50 year. There is ample research to support that this technique is integrating to all the quadrants of the brain.

Neuroplasticity: Saving our Brain

This is one of the very hot topics in science these days. “Neuroplasticity” is the brain’s ability to form new neural pathways and connections when we learn something new. It’s a subject that is particularly important for anyone who has had a stroke or who has any form of cognitive impairment. Dr. Norman Doidge wrote a wonderful book about it called The Brain That Changes Itself.

His numerous case studies describe people who had received pretty hopeless diagnoses after an event that caused them brain damage, but recovered through a variety of forms of sensory input. So practicing any of these brain-balancing games, processes, and skills can deliver ongoing, long-term benefits. They balance the brain hemispheres while at the same time creating those new neural connections. That’s a win-win for both: mind body integration and staying mentally sharp.

We live in a time when the left brain dominates many of our most powerful institutions and the right brain seems to dominate the emotions of the rest of the population. Seems like we could all use some hemisphere balancing!

As the saying goes, use it or lose it.

The post 31 Days of Self Care – Day 6: Using Both Sides of Your Brain appeared first on Shopping for the Real You.

A Natural History of the Senses by Diane Ackerman

If you’ve somewhat isolated the last two years you may have become a little bit numb to what you are feeling at any moment. If we fear mingling in crowds, going to public places, even seeing friends and relatives, our senses tend to shut down.

But we have physical bodies for a reason. We are “fed” through all our senses. We ingest and nourish ourselves through what we hear, see, touch, smell, and feel. There are many things we can do in our own environment to awaken our senses. A lifetime is short, in the larger scheme of time. Enjoy the senses you have while you have them.

If you want a place to start I can highly recommend Diane Ackerman’s Natural History of the Senses. It’s delightful and enlightening.

Smell

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The sense of smell can evoke wonderful memories; the aroma of an apple pie baking in the oven on a cold winter day, the invigorating scent of pine trees on a mountain trail, or the fragrance of the salty air wafting through the breeze on a seaside vacation. Someone’s personal scent (we all have one) or their perfume or cologne can trigger our subconscious attraction to them.

This is why the loss of smell that has been experienced by some people who contracted Covid was devastating. Our sense of smell is a very fundamental and visceral part of life because it connects us with our limbic system, the region of our brain associated with memories. Whether you choose incense, essential oils, food, or plants, make fragrance a part of your life.

Buying yourself fragrant flowers is a lovely way to nourish the sense of smell.

Touch

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Human touch calms the central nervous system and slows down the heart rate. It lowers blood pressure and triggers oxytocin, the hormone that helps us bond with others. Lack of touch can shorten a life. Covid has made that painfully evident.

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In the years that I taught movement therapy and fitness to seniors at a local hospital, I made it a point to physically touch a lot of my students; a hug, a gentle touch of the arm, a pat on the back. Many of them were widows or widowers who hadn’t had any physical contact for months or years. Whether or not you are fortunate to have a loving family or group of friends around who you can hug, you can still receive the benefits of touch; getting your hair washed and your head massaged at a hair salon and getting your head massaged or getting bodywork are options. And if all else fails give yourself an oil massage before taking a hot shower. It’s an excellent form of self-care. Ayurvedic practitioners recommend it as a daily process.

Taste

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How much do you really taste your food? How present are you when you eat? Do you savor each bite? Or do you just scarf it down quickly? When we actually take time to eat with awareness every bite becomes more enjoyable, and more importantly, more digestible. One of the best lessons I ever learned was from an Ayurvedic doctor who told me to chew each bite 20 times. He said, “your stomach doesn’t have teeth!” When you honor what you are eating, you are honoring the person who made it, the farmer who grew it, the person who delivered it to the market, and most of all, yourself.

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Enjoying what you eat makes the process of eating a holy event. And when you share that with friends, it doubles the enjoyment.

Hearing

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This is one that I have personally had to come to terms with, as I started losing my hearing about 15 years ago and have now lost about 80% when I’m not wearing my hearing aids. One of the hardest things to accept was that I can no longer hear musical notes. The way the brain works with hearing loss is that if you have heard a song from your youth, your brain remembers what it sounded like and you will still be able to hear the notes even when your hearing goes south. But anything new or highly digitally manipulated simply sounds like static.

Our sense of hearing is a very significant part of our life’s story: the gentle sound of the rain on the roof, a baby’s gurgling or first words, the soundtrack of our lives through the popular music at various phases of our lives. Protect your hearing – and encourage the young people in your life to wear earplugs when they attend loud concerts, or turn down the volume on their digital devices.

Sight

What we see – and what we choose to see – is “ingested” as much as anything we eat. It might inform, shock, soothe, inspire, calm, or agitate us. When we look for the beauty in our surroundings, choose films or videos with beautiful scenery, go to museums or art galleries displaying beautiful images, we are feeding our very souls. What do you make a regular part of your visual “diet?” And how does it affect you?

Make it a habit to connect with your senses. It is very grounding, and well…satisfying!

The post 31 Days of Self Care: Day 4 – Connect With Your Senses appeared first on Shopping for the Real You.

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Financial security is a major part of self-care. And, one of life’s biggest stressors is financial well-being. It impacts just about every area of our lives and many of our relationships.

If you’re fortunate and/or were foresighted enough to have invested wisely over the years it’s likely less stressful. But fortunes and circumstances can change. So here are some basic ideas about how to allocate your resources, and how to create more.

When it comes to fashion, I always encourage my clients to buy only what they need, buy the best quality they can afford, and then wear those items on repeat. That way you never feel deprivation. Those items will always make you feel (choose a few) confident, beautiful, comfortable, elegant, or elevated when you wear it.

Buying and Selling

Of course, keep your eye out for sales. But if you can’t afford something at the full price and your size is gone when the sale comes around, don’t make that a source of regret. Some things are just not meant to be. In the grand scheme of life, that nice sweater or handbag means next to nothing.  Now, some amazing finds can be discovered at vintage shops. But if you just don’t go there, make sure that what you already own is laundered and in good repair.

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But, maybe you can make some money by freeing up space in your closet. Do you have some nice quality clothing or home accessories that you are thinking of parting with? Learn how to sell things on resale sites like eBay. Tell friends or neighbors that you can do this for them. Also, contact real estate agents. They often have clients who are downsizing and would be delighted to pay you a portion of the proceeds by selling items they aren’t planning to take to their new home.

Using the Skills You Already Have 

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If you’re thinking about how you might be able to generate more income, look to your own experience and the things you love doing. Maybe it just requires marketing a skill you already have, like starting a cake or pastry baking service for friends, neighbors or local organizations.

Or maybe you can make casseroles for full-time working couples in your building or neighborhood. Or daycare for a local family. Can you do simple – or even complex – tailoring from your home?

Are you good at organizing, or do you know how to use financial management software like Quicken? Could you help out some elderly neighbors who might need help organizing or putting their accounts in better order. Do you have an eye for style? Can you confidently advertise to your community that you do this?

Making Life Changes

Sometimes having a better economic outlook might require bigger adjustments. Might you consider moving to where the cost of living is less expensive? Have your ever visited somewhere and felt charmed by the area? (I have several friends who have moved to Mexico, Canada, New Zealand and Great Britain in the last few years.) Do your research, ask friends who might live there, determine how much you will have to give up, and what you will gain.

And then maybe you just need to improve your ability to market yourself by taking new classes at your local adult school center to upgrade your skills. There are classes in so many marketable areas: languages, fitness, computer and finance skills, web design.

And don’t be afraid to ask for professional help from people who are already doing what you are considering. Ask successful people. They are often very generous with their advice and might be able to to advance your career or help you make some connections.

Job Interview?

Eileen Williams of Feisty Side of Fifty – Interview

Now, if you are confident in your skills and are simply thinking of applying for a job somewhere, prepare yourself as best you can to make the best impression. I very highly recommend watching this interview I did with Eileen Williams for my first series, Vital, Vivacious and Visible after 50. She is an expert in this area and offers some very valuable and absolutely practical advice.

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But if you balk at any of these suggestions, maybe it just comes down to budgeting more carefully. And maybe you can simply re-think what actually nourishes you and your family, not just nutritionally, but also emotionally, such as the things that serve as your entertainment. A family day trip to the beach or mountains can reset your whole perspective on the blessings in your life. If you want to read more, there are neighborhood library boxes that people set out in front of their homes, and of course, there is the public library. You can find a world of entertaining videos and educational films at your local library. And gratitude for what you already have is the gateway to more abundance in your life.

Give to Receive

Finally, many people encourage others to start saving, even a little bit, every month. Although that is a good idea, a very wise friend of mine suggests this counter-intuitive advice: regularly donate to an organization that is materially helping people in some way. He has seen it work in his own life, and in the lives of hundreds of people he knows.

It can be as little $5 a week or a month. But be consistent. And keep giving. He has seen repeatedly that over a period of about 18 months (and often less) people start to receive monetary blessings. Now, if even that is a stretch, donate your time.

Giving makes you feel abundant. And Nature loves a cheerful giver.

The post 31 Days of Self-Care: Day 3: Your Financial Well-being. appeared first on Shopping for the Real You.

Louise Hay

To start off this month of posts and emails I want to talk about something that has been a life-long challenge for me. To frame that, let me tell you a personal story.

About 40 years ago, I did part-time bookkeeping and business organization. One of my clients was a beautiful and interesting woman who was just starting out her career. Her name was Louise Hay. Louise had overcome many personal challenges and traumas, including sexual abuse as a child and uterine cancer developed in her teens, from which she healed herself without medical intervention.

She wrote a book about how our belief systems contribute to illness – and to our health – that became a best seller (Heal Your Body) and started her on the lecture circuit.

She eventually founded a company called Hay House, the most successful self-help publishing company in the world. And she published two more books, You Can Heal Your Life, and a workbook entitled Love Yourself and Heal Your Life.

As a partial payment for my employment, Louise offered me some private healing sessions. I can’t remember exactly how the subject came up, but one day I mentioned an old electric blender that only worked at the very lowest setting and the very highest. Everything in between was inactive.

Louise looked at me and in no uncertain terms said: “Throw it away! Buy a new one.” She then suggested that the blender was a perfect metaphor for how I was living my life: either at high speed or at complete exhaustion. I bought that new blender, but for a long time I was resentful: “why waste money on a new one if that one at least does the job?” (She also worked with me about healing from poverty consciousness.)

And of course, she was right. I was running on empty, almost all of the time. And I knew it. I knew that someday it would catch up with me. I came to understand that my “zoom/crash” MO was simply a form of avoidance. I was avoiding just being in the moment and experiencing what was happening.

Instead I camouflaged it with a flurry of activity or I completely zoned out. But eventually, I came to deeply appreciate the lesson. I figured if SHE could sit with her feelings, I certainly could sit with mine.

Photo by Joshua Yu courtesy of Unsplash

What Louise opened my mind to that day was the idea of living and moving at the speed of Nature. Doing this is a way of honoring life and the natural rhythms in our lives. It took me many, many more years to fully embrace that lesson. But it made me a much more balanced person, physically and emotionally.

I have made “moving at the speed of Nature” a very big priority in my life. I walk more slowly because doing so keeps me connected with my soul.

I have learned to eat more slowly. That has made my food more delicious.

I have learned to pause and think before I speak and act. My speech has become more effective. And that has made my relationships better.

So, where in your own life might you overworking? Do you just call it “multi-tasking?” Or have you also learned to connect with Nature’s rhythms? Has that been easy or difficult? In what way? Do other people in your life respect your “rhythm”? Drop me a line. I’d love to hear your answers and know if this resonated with you and why.

Here’s to a beautiful New Year and a month of self-care.

The post Day 1, 31-days of Self Care: Moving At the Speed of Nature appeared first on Shopping for the Real You.

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An old friend told me that she gave gifts to people that she, herself, liked. She cited the tenet: “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I thought this was a kind a flawed idea for gift-giving.

What if the person is nothing like you in taste, style, or preferences?

As someone who advocates seeing and appreciating the uniqueness of each human being, I thought I would do a quick run-through of the main style types with a few ideas for gifts that might appeal to those people.

Keep in mind that these are single, pure style facets, and that people are multi-faceted. But these suggestions might point you in the right general direction.

Things? Or Experiences?

Note: This year a lot of my friends have suggested the value of giving experiences or consumables, things that aren’t necessarily “things.” It’s a way to use fewer resources and create lovely memories. So I’ll also list some of those for each style type. And please remember the people in your life who are alone this year. The holidays can be especially difficult for them.

For convenience I am listing several things from Amazon (I am an affiliate and my book is only available there.) But I strongly encourage you to shop at your local independent book stores or gift shops for similar or identical items. Small retail has gotten crushed in the last two years and this would be a good time to put in the extra effort to support them, especially the ones that don’t have an online presence on Amazon, Etsy, or eBay.

You’ll see several suggestions from Gold Belly. They are a food and gift aggregator site that features a fabulous selection of specialty foods from hundreds of independent mom and pop food stores around the country, many of which ship overseas as well. (Warning: a friend just turned me on to this site and you can get lost there!!)

OK, let’s start. We’ll go from the most “yang” type to the most “yin” type.

Our Dramatic-type friends express yang energy in the sense that their image and their demeanor, is dynamic, often commanding. They like to go places where they can see people and be seen, and be in environments where their dynamic energy is reflected back to them.

So what might make them visible? For starters: look for anything that shines or sparkles.

Linen Poly scarf

Snoozies Ballerina Bling Slippers

A shiny scarf in a bold color (most Dramatics have a fair amount of bold coloring, but some shade of gold will work for almost everyone.) It comes in 21 fabulous colors and prints.

If they enjoy lounging at home, a pair of sequined slippers could be fun! These come in six colors.

As for food, make it something that says “luxury.”

Vosget Chocolate Tower

Frances Hayes’ Always Italy

Dramatics have really felt the effects of the lock down, not being able to be out in the world. They love dramatic experiences. We’re not talking about roller coasters here, but events like live theater, musicals, concerts, opera, and intimate club performances. Tickets to any of those events would be a wonderful gift for a Dramatic type.

Dramatics often love travel, and they like dramatic places with natural and man-made beauty. So a beautiful coffee table travel book, an exciting tale about a foreign adventure, or a foreign food book might fill them with lovely memories or help them make plans for future trips.

Food Trails from Lonely Planet

The Rocks by Peter Nichols

Frankly, Natural style types are possibly the easiest people to shop for. Their priorities include things that are practical, usable, and/or bring comfort or enjoyment on a sensual level: flavor, aroma, or feel. So the possibilities are endless.

As “nature” children, they would appreciate anything that references nature. If they are avid gardeners they might like something like a gardening apron, gardening gloves, a unique plant for their garden, or a collection of planted herbs.

The Grommet Garden Tool Apron

Harry and David Herb Garden

Gardening Gloves

And of course, any home-made treat, such as jam you make yourself from your own trees, or a baked tart, sweet or savory, would be a beautiful way to show your appreciation.

Bird scarf from Walmart

doTerra Petal essential kit

In terms of fashion, something that reflects nature is also a good bet. This one comes in three colors. And everyone could use some calmness and upliftment these days. Essential oil kits are a wonderful gift for a Natural. This one contains a diffuser, lavender oil (great to rub on your feet at night to help with insomnia too) and wild orange oil that has purifying and stimulating qualities.

Rivers and Tides by Andy Goldsworthy

And as for the wonders of nature, nature-related videos are another wonderful gift. This one is both full of natural beauty. wonder, and very artistic.

Phot by Ivan Samk on Pexels

But almost more than anything, Naturals also need human connection. Inviting them over for a meal or for a walk through beautiful scenery at the beach or in the park, and then stopping for coffee and a chat creates a longer lasting “gift” than anything material that you could give. And according to all the research, that human connection is the single most important factor for our longevity.

High spirited types also long for human connection. But that would likely have a different quality than a Natural’s version. These are people on-the-go. And, like Dramatics, being locked down has been pretty hard on them. So any gift that can take them on an adventure, actual or virtual, or get them moving would be a delight.

Journeys of a Lifetime form National Geographic

And like Dramatics, they LOVE to travel. But they are more interested in adventure than drama. So fun books about travel, dvds, or actual trips would fit the bill. Also, quirky films of any kind might delight them, like this.

Many High Spirited types love to dance so send them this link and they will dance along with these videos or come over to their place for a dance party! Bring along some fun socks for dancing barefoot!

Make Your Own Fortune Cookies Kit

Barcelona Silk Scarf

Or bring over ingredients to make something together. This one could also be hilarious because you can write your own fortunes. (I don’t “get” the edible pen that comes with it, but whatever…)

As for fashion items, High Spirited types like things that have a sense of motion or playfulness in their design or construction. A tasseled scarf could be a wonderful option, or a charm bracelet.

Shashibo puzzle

And this award-winning magnetic puzzle  can create 70 different shapes would give them hours of enjoyment and delight.

Classics love anything that is useful, simple but with a touch of elegance. Actually, they just like high quality things in any category.

Truffle goat cheese wheel Cheese from Cypress Grove on GoldBelly

Jacques Torres Signature chocolates

For the culinary Classic on your list, this award-winning truffle goat cheese wheel would make quite an impression, as would these Jacques Torres chocolates.

Classics tend to like Classic entertainment. That might include classic vintage movies, but also anything about the royals, real or fiction. Also, Downton Abbey fans will be queuing up to see the next sequel, coming out in March. Until then, pick up the latest version or offer to take them out to the theater when it arrives.

Downton Abbey complete set

They also have refined taste and often love books about beautifully appointed homes. So a book about classic architecture or interior design is a good option for them. They might also love books about architecture of interesting interior design.

By Design: The World’s Best Contemporary Designers

Leather Gloves at Lands End

Pashmina scarf from Sunrise Pashmina

As for fashion, a pair of leather gloves would be a beautiful gift for a Classic type, and these ones are on sale at Lands’ End right now and come in eight beautiful colors. And a pashmina or silk/pashmina mix scarf is a perfect gift for a Classic. This company works directly with the grower/supplier in Nepal and has incredible prices, but there is a $85 minimal order, so get something for yourself too!) The scarf is only $19.

If you know the person well enough and are close, an engraved signature bracelet or necklace would be a very meaningful gift.

Eve’s Addiction engravable inital gold necklace

And an invitation to a formal (or semi-formal) dinner would be a wonderful gift for a Classic. Be sure to set the table with candles and flowers!

Russ and Daughter Babka

Vosges Truffles

Luxury and sensuousness are part of a Romantic’s life. If you stick with those two themes you can’t go wrong. So consider about something fabulously decadent to eat, like this chocolate babka or some Vosges chocolate truffles.

And anything soft and fluffy that makes them feel romantic and sexy is a good bet, like these Nap loungewear pompom slippers or a faux fur collar.

Pompom slippers from Nap Loungewear

Chico’s pull-through faux fur scarf

Uma Pure Bliss candle

Fancii LED lighted travel Mirror

Romantics are natural sybarites and love spas. So anything that might help them create that at home for an at-home spa day or just to bring a lovely fragrance, like a scented candle, is another perfect choice for a Romantic. This one natural oils scented candle from Uma has a 75 hour burn time and is free from any synthetic fragrances.

Romantics often love to travel, and they want to look beautiful wherever they are. A travel mirror could make a lovely gift. Or take them on a “travel” adventure to Italy in Laura Morelli’s Night Portrait or to the city of Eternal Love.

Night Portrait by Laura Morelli

Rome: Portrait of a City

If you really want to treat your Romantic friend, invite them out to a lavish meal at a really nice restaurant.

The holidays are probably a Youthful’s favorite time of the year. So you pretty much can’t go wrong by getting them almost anything as long as it has pretty wrapping. They just are delighted by having presents to open.

Kalimba thumb piano

Walmart Soprano Ukelele for Beginners

Youthfuls can get lost in playing – that means playing music, playing a game, or working on a puzzle. You might consider getting them a new and relatively easy-to-learn instrument, like a thumb piano (it comes with instructions) or a ukelele (be sure to also buy the music book if they are a beginner.)

21 Songs in 6 Days by Jenny Peters and Rebecca Bogart

Bits and Pieces 1000 piece puzzle: Savannah Animals

Bouchon Bakery Macarons

And a jigsaw puzzles, could be a great gift. Youthful types often have a soft spot for animals, so this one could be fun. Now, when it comes to food, think of something fun and bright like a collection of colorful macarons.

For clothing, some fun socks to wear while joining their High Spirited friends for a dance party, or just to wear on their own, would be a terrific gift.

Hotsox anklets for women

Loaded Questions Family version

Lawrence Frames Paw print frame

And they love to laugh, so a fun and funny game that can be played with multiple people can be a terrific gift for them. This comes in many versions, but the “family friendly” one is this one. Also, Youthfuls are sentimental at heart. If they have recently had a new addition to the family, human or animal, or a special event, a picture frame would be a nice gift.

But to warm their heart and uplift their spirit, take them out for an entertainment event, like a Disney movie, or on a trip to an amusement park or zoo!

Crystal prism

This type lives in a more rarefied world, emotionally. At least that’s how they appear (they can actually be some of the strongest people!) Something that speaks to their love of all things ethereal, angelic or otherworldly might delight them, such as this prism that reflects light everywhere. It could bring them years of enjoyment.

Many angelic are really into healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle. Buy them a pass to your favorite yoga studio and go with them.

Portable smoothie blender

A personal smoothie maker could be a good choice, especially if they travel and want to be able to eat healthily wherever they are.

Signature Salted Apple Caramel Pie, Four and Twenty Blackbirds

But when they fall off the wagon, this is what one my my Angelic friends picked out for herself from the Gold Belly site, and this is what she said about it: “A delicious twist on classic apple pie. Elegant apple with an invigoration infusion of Caramel. French vanilla ice cream too for an angelic addition of creamy goodness.” (Drooling over the thought…)

As for clothing, Angelics typically can wear shimmery (but not too shiny or sparkly) textiles and those that are very fine and delicate. This scarf would work beautifully for them.

Betsey Johnson moon and stars earrings

Go to Your Happy Place – Mountain earrings from Morgan Lane Tanner

And dangling earrings with a celestial motif are another great choice. Also, as Angelics can often wear ombre designs, these earrings (on the right) could be lovely on your Angelic friend.

Don Miguel Ruiz’ The Four Agreements

Religious or spiritual books that have an uplifting message are another great option. Here are three options: Don Miguel Ruiz’ The Four Agreements, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Classic tome, Science of Being and the Art of Living, and Byron Katie’s A Thousand Names for Joy.

Science of Being and the Art of Living: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

A Thousand Names for Joy by Byron Katie

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Local Hero

The Secret of Roan Inish

The same is true for movies that inspire or transport them to another time or place.

So I hope that gives you some ideas and some clues about what each style type might like. If you want to know more about your own style, and how it is revealed in all aspects of your life, I invite you to check out my new course, Discovering Your Inner Style: an Adventure in Dressing Authentically. Learn about it here. For you, my dear readers, I’m offering a discount of 15% off through December 8, with the coupon code GIVE 15.

Have a beautiful and fulfilling holiday.

The post Gift Ideas for Different Style Types appeared first on Shopping for the Real You.

Oyuna Lugo sweater

It’s now autumn in the Northern hemisphere and that means time to unpack our winter sweaters. Unlike many synthetics cashmere withstands the test of time – and repeated wear. It just looks better too.

Cashmere used to be considered a luxury fabric. But over the past couple of years there has been a kind of explosion of inexpensive cashmere garments on the market. And if you get a lot of catalogs (which I do – dozens every week) or scroll through social media you’d believe that we were all living in cashmere sweats.

However, recently I discovered the actual “cost” of their production and was shocked. (Frankly, had already started to wonder how so many products, and so many companies could be offering so much cashmere at such low prices.)

Where it Comes From

Most cashmere is sourced from herds of goats in the Gobi Desert of Northern China and Mongolia. The finest cashmere comes from the Kashmir region in India, with smaller amounts from Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries.  These Kashmir goats, from where the fabric gets its name, have an outer layer for protection, and an inner layer, from which the fibers are shorn for the manufacturing of cashmere clothing.

The sad fact is that when that inner layer is gone they no longer have the same protection from the elements. And over-grazing has depleted their food supply. The situation became untenable, first and foremost for the goats, but also for the industry as a whole.

But a few years ago some of the more prominent companies began to address this by producing what is called “sustainable” cashmere. That means they are sourcing from smaller, cultivated herds with more sustainable grazing practices. Others are also using “off-cut” productions pieces of leftover cashmere, and even recycling old cashmere sweater material that has been returned (Eileen Fisher and Stella McCartney are leaders in this area.) Many of these companies proudly display their ratings and certifications from international sustainability agencies.

So, for this post I am only including manufacturers who adhere to highest standards of production in their supply chain. That includes treating the goats, the herders, and the workers right. Yes, you’re looking at – in many cases – higher prices. If that gives you pause, think about collecting one of these items for the long-run, a treasured item you will wear repeatedly for many, many years. You will always feel luxurious wearing it and comfortable knowing that it is something that respects the delicate balance in nature.

COS

COS blue cashmere sweater $190

COS Turtleneck sweater $225

COS was one of the earlier “minimalist” fashion houses (after Eileen Fisher) and has been offering well-made, simple, wearable items for quite a while. They pay close attention to their sourcing, which includes animal welfare social responsibility and the environment.  Many of their styles are typically loose and slightly over-sized, as is the current fashion. They have a lot of sophisticated items in neutrals that are styled for Dramatic, Natural or Classic types. The blue pullover also comes in yellow and dusty pink. They also carry washable wool and wool-blend sweaters. Their cashmere sweaters run about $190-$240, so you are looking at things that are more mid to moderately-priced. If price is a concern, it’s worth checking out the entire site for their other items, so I’m linking the site as a whole here.

Cuyana

Cuyana Cashmere Wrap Sweater $285

Single origin recycled cashmere cardigan $225

Founded by Karla Gallardo, an Ecuadoran woman who earned a BA from Stanford, this company claims the motto “fewer things, better things.” (I’m making that my own personal motto! I just filled two bags for give-away.) Ninety six percent of their products are made from sustainable materials, and they maintain close ties with all the families and artisans worldwide in their supply chain. Much of their cashmere is recycled, but as they show, “single origin.” That means off cuts, not reused from old cashmere sweaters. Cuyana also carries a wide variety of classic, leather goods that might make nice gifts. This is their gift guide for the season. The wrap (beautiful for an autumn Earthy Rich type) also comes in black and camel. The cardigan comes in this seasonal passion fruit shade (that would suit an Earhty Rich, possibly a Subtle Blended/Earthy Rich combination too), plus a dark teal, black , beige, and stone.

  Eileen Fisher

Eileen Fisher Aegean teal sweater $398

Eileen Fisher Italian cashmere tunic $378

As of now, Eileen Fisher only uses recycled cashmere from an Italian factory that recycles cutting room trimmings into “exceptionally fine yarns.” And this season, she is showing a little bit of pure cashmere, but mostly blends with silk or wool, also from sustainable sources.  So, labor intensive work = higher cost of goods. But, as you will see, they are by no means the most expensive in the category of sustainable cashmere. Both the teal sweater and the olive tunic would work for many Earthy Rich color types. And the teal could possibly work for a SubtleBlended/ER combo.

It’s rare that they offer a variety of colors, as neutrals are their signature, but I’m showing a few here. Occasionally EF hits a sour note, in terms of style (rarely in quality) but they are pretty consistent in terms of sustainability. And although, yeah, their things look kind of boxy and uninteresting on the hanger, I find that the items I have purchased from them actually look beautiful and hang very elegantly in person. As for the price, it’s worth trolling the site for their sales.

Everlane

Everlane cashmere polo $145

Founded in 2010, Everlane, one of the companies I have featured in several previous posts, gained a reputation for what they call “radical transparency” from the start by offering customers a very detailed breakdown of how much it cost to make each item. Now they’ve taken that same detailed approach to their sourcing agencies. Their website (and my personal communications with their sustainability manager) offers what is probably the most complete and thorough description of their standards and certifications for each type of garment and textile they produce of any site I found so far. This is their lilac cashmere polo, a lovely color for Lively Bright or Subtle Blended/Lively Bright crossovers. Could also work for a Striking Contrast/Subtle Blended crossover.

Everlane stroopwaffle re-cashmere turtleneck $195

Everlane Crew in persimmon $125

This is their Stroopwaffle ReCashmere sweater in cobalt, for Lively Bright color types. It also comes is a Lively Bright ultramarine green, a warm Earthy Rich honey color, pale gray, dark charcoal, sand and bone. And the persimmon crew would work for an Earthy Rich autumn type. (It comes in 12 colors. including pecan, espresso, a vibrant key lime, stone, burnt orange, off white, charcoal, lilac, a dark taupe ans stone. )

Gentle Herd

Gentle Herd seamless boatneck sweater $125

This is how they describe their sourcing: “We have strict codes of practice for our goats and sheep protection…we vigorously monitor and control the size of the herd and their grazing…we uphold fair trade practices, and no animals are harmed in the making of our products…we also care for our workers.” (Well, that’s excerpted from a much more extensive explanation. Suffice to say they walk the talk of sustainability.)

Their sizes are limited (S-M-L) so prepared to get a “general” fit, which isn’t bad because a lot of cashmere items, especially this year, don’t have to fit the body closely. And, they are still one of the most reasonable in terms of price. It looks like they use natural dyes and there aren’t a lot of bright colors here. But they have a very wide variety of lovely items available. So you might want to just check out the whole site.

Gentle Herd cashmere hoodie $166 (on sale now)

Gentle Herd undyed turtleneck pullover $148

This (on the left) is a pretty cool hoodie that comes in seven colors including a rose shade that would be lovely on a Subtle Blended summer type, plus a warm brown, olive, taupe, and cream that could work for an Earthy Rich type. The gray and this blue would be best on a Lively Bright and possibly a Subtle Blended/Lively Bright crossover. And next to it is their undyed turtleneck pullover. Turtlenecks that are fitted like this one are Classic in style and this one is very Classic.

Naadam

I love their advertising and their motto: Soft stuff for hard people.” (It’s worth visiting their site just to see how they illustrate that.) This is another company started by two young entrepreneurs, Matthew Scanlan and Diederik Rijsemus. As college friends, they traveled to the remote parts of the Gobi Desert, became friends with local herders and interested in their work. They also figured out how they could pay them more for their textiles by cutting out the middle man, and providing cashmere quality items for less. They offer a lot of cashmere, plus recycled cashmere, and wool-cashmere blends. Their items range from the lower end to mid-range in price. But the least expensive do sell out pretty quickly, as do the brighter colors.

Naadam cropped v-neck $125

Naadam essential Crew $75

Naadam fisherman cardigan

This (on the left) is their seafoam cropped v-neck sweater. It’s slouchy and best for a Natural type. It also comes in winter white and black. And this next to it is their essential crew in blue. It comes in eleven colors but the sizes sell out very quickly. There are still some lovely ones available. Crew neck cashmere sweaters are typically Classic, but frankly I think just about everyone can wear them. On the right is an example of their 90% and 10% cashmere in a multi-use Natural and Classic fisherman-type cardigan.

Naked Cashmere

Naked Cashmere Lily cardigan in Bluebird $350

Naked cashmere Cherie crew in Olive $185

Among the pricier options, Naked meets all the requirements for sustainability in their sourcing and manufacturing including the use of recycled cashmere. They offer a fairly limited color range, but their items are sophisticated and well made. Here, too, the less expensive ones sell out pretty quickly. The v-neck cardigan also comes in a dark taupe that looks very much like one that I bought about 18 years ago at a shop that has now closed. I have been thinking to replace it because it is and always was too big. But as they say, if you hang on to something long enough it’s back in style! This one is ideal for a Subtle Blended color type, and possibly one of the pastels that can be worn by a Striking Contrast. And this (on the right) is their Cherie pullover in olive $185:

Oyuna

Oyuna Mountain sweater in beige $400

Oyuna Land sweater in Deep Blue $636

This is a British based company (they also sell to the US) founded in 2002 by a Mongolian woman named, Oyuna Tserendorj. That means she has a strong personal stake and commitment to the land and the people who are responsible for bringing much of the cashmere to the west. This is a very high-end company, offering stylish and elegant items and Oyuna is probably the priciest of the bunch. What you get for that price is a kind of European (and somewhat fashion-forward) sophistication. Much of her merchandise is in neutrals, like this beige crewneck that also comes in black and blush. But she also carries some very vibrant hues like this “deep blue” that would complement someone with cooler, Striking Contrast winter coloring.

Oyuna Lugo sweater in Magma $533

And this “magma” (also shown above) is a warm, rich orange that would work beautifully for either a Striking Contrast winter type, possibly an Earthy Rich autumn, or someone who is a combination of those two color types.

The Reformation

Reformation Cashmere cardigan set in blue $228

Reformation boyfriend crew $148

Skewing toward the youth market, this company shows some pretty skimpy things, like the uber-trendy cashmere bra/cropped cardigan combo. (If the purpose of cashmere is to keep you warm, what’s the point?) Regardless, they are pretty high up in the sustainability levels, and they do have some other beautiful, comfy looking things. And they are one of the few offering Romantic styles like the below This set also comes in a Subtle Blended Blush color, a very yellow-white, and a rich Earthy Rich chestnut brown. This (on the right) is their boyfriend sweater in camel. Camel works for Striking Contrast and Lively Bright, primarily. It also comes in a black and white stripe, an oatmeal stripe and a dark gray.

Reformation Hart cashmere pullover $198

The Reformation cashmere polo in olive $148

They are also on the cashmere polo bandwagon. This one comes in this olive, for an Earthy Rich, plus charcoal, one of the “black” shades that an ER can wear, and camel. And they are one of the very few that offer Romantic style items. Among those Romantic styled is this sweetheart neckline puffed sleeve pullover (on the right.) It also comes in cinnamon (a beautiful Earthy Rich color) oatmeal, and this gray.

Lastly, I want to add this “safety” note. My dear late friend June, who brought me a gorgeous cashmere sweater from her home in England (which I wore until it literally fell apart) always said that she never took her cashmere to the cleaners. She always washed it by hand, rolled it in a towel, and then laid it flat to dry. So, I have done that with several of mine. But frankly, it’s time consuming. And then there is the potential “honey I shrank the sweater!”

So, in that spirit I offer the following website, although I have never used this product. Let me know if you have! https://unshrinkit.com/

If you haven’t yet read Shopping for the Real You, or if you know someone who could use a little fashion – or emotional – inspiration, it would make a great birthday or holiday gift. Check out the reviews here.

I also invite you to explore how to better understand your version of beauty, your taste, and your style through my new online course, Discovering Your Inner Style, an Adventure in Dressing Authentically.

Shopping links on my site may earn me a small commission if you purchase something at no additional cost to you.

The post Cheap Cashmere…but is it sustainable? appeared first on Shopping for the Real You.

Illustration Courtesy of McGill University Library

Asking someone, “what is beauty” is like asking them “what is art?” One person’s idea of what is beautiful may not be anything like what another person perceives as beautiful. But there are some elements of beauty, regardless of the form, that speak to us on a deep level.

Beautiful things have a way of making us feel joyful, elevated, and hopeful. They uplift our spirits. They make the heaviness, that life can often deliver, bearable. That’s why art has been an important part of life on earth since the cavemen.

Why Beauty is Essential

Photo by Yogesh Mankame on Unsplash

Photo by Aldo Gonzalez on Unsplash

I was motivated to write about this – something I’ve been thinking about for a long time now – after watching an American commentator speak to a group of college students in Europe last month. He was deeply moved by the majestic beauty of the old city, the buildings, bullet-ridden from WWII but still standing; the artisan’s details in the ornaments; the lush landscape of the surroundings. What he said was that in our gut we simply “know” beauty when we see it because it speaks to our soul.

Soviet Housing in Romania photos courtesy of Wiki

That talk resonated personally with me. Twenty-five years ago I visited Brno, Czech Republic, and was similarly affected by those same types of old, majestic buildings, also ridden with bullet holes. But what affected me even more was their juxtaposition against the blocks, and blocks, and blocks of Soviet built housing: rectangular, unadorned concrete structures, without decks or patios, and a single window. They looked like prisons. A woman leaned out of one of those windows, with an expression of longing and resignation that haunts me to this day.

Are we headed there?

Photo by Sandra. PleinAyer Images @gmail.com

Photo by Sandra. PleinAyerImages @gmail.com

So here’s my rant. When I first moved to Berkeley, nearly 50 years ago, I was charmed by the diversity, eccentricity, and harmony in the architecture, the people, and the food. There was a real sense of community. In the past four or five years, much of that has been lost, bulldozed, in fact, and replaced with large glass and steel boxes with no outdoor decks, patios or green spaces.  Oh, there are still many beautiful single family wood frame, Tudor, Victorian, and Craftsman style homes in town. Those were the ones we lived in as group houses in the 60s and 70s. And only the original owners or the tech-rich can now afford them. But to accommodate the influx of tech workers fleeing San Francisco builders are creating sterile, nearly identical mega housing boxes.

Photo by Guillaume Bolduc on Unsplash

The soul of the city is gone. In place of quirky playfulness, creativity, and well, beauty, there are steel, concrete and glass boxes and “safe” streets where one can no longer shop at quaint establishments, many of which no longer exist because there is no parking anywhere near them… and the pandemic took out many more.

My experience with concrete boxes

FBI headquarters courtesy wiki

Los Angeles County Courthouse National Registry courtesy of Wiki

I, and both my parents, worked in government buildings. My first job was with the Los Angeles Planning Commission.  Those types of structures are not there to inspire. They are simply designed to provide a place for someone to be a productive employee. They are not human scale. In fact, there is nothing to suggest humanity about them.

If you look to nearly every government building in every major city – not the City Halls, which often have more interesting architectural features that speak of the history and culture of the area – you’ll see that they are primarily concrete blocks that look not much different from, again,  local jails.

So what does that say about the sterile, repetitive housing architecture in my town? Are these apartments there to simply house good little worker bees who go to work in similar sterile buildings? And considering most of these apartments are beyond the affordability of many of the people who actually live here, not to mention the homeless, what is their purpose, exactly?

How to bring more beauty into your life

Photo by David Edelstein on Unsplash

If we are just resigned to having to live with this kind of new world (I can’t bring myself to call it “brave” as it’s not brave and the association with that phrase is just too scary) maybe we can each strike a blow for beauty. If you’re old enough to remember the British series, The Prisoner, (one of my favorites from the 1960s) you remember the opening scene where Prisoner #1967 says, “I am not a number! I am a free man!” Beauty frees us from the prison of conformity.

A personal way to bring more beauty into our lives is to create it in our living spaces. That will look differently for each of us. But if our dwellings reflect the colors we love, the shapes, elements, textiles, ornaments or artworks that speak to our soul, we are declaring our humanity…and our individuality.

Photo by Todd Turner on Unsplash

Photo by Stephanie Klepacki on Unsplash

Another very significant way to experience beauty is to simply be in nature. That might involve going somewhere to see the snow on a mountain, a flock of birds, the powerful arc of a rolling wave on the ocean. Or it might be as simple as nurturing the maidenhair fern in your kitchen window or the hydrangeas in the pot by your front door, or watching your vegetable garden grow.

When we experience the beauty that exists in nature, we connect with the rhythms and the cycles of life. We connect with something bigger than ourselves.

Our daily statement of beauty

Photo by Danny Lines on Unsplash

Photo by Vasile Stancu on Unsplash

Maybe that’s why I write about fashion. It is one area of life that each of us can claim for ourselves. It’s where we can declare who we are in the most personal way.  And, yes, sometimes it’s difficult. Pressure to conform from environment and cultural dictates, (not to mention the ever-present impact of the media and social media) can cause us to lose sight of who we are. It can also dampen our enthusiasm to explore and express the parts of ourselves we want to express at different times of our lives.

But doing so is a gift that we can give to ourselves every day. Your version of beauty doesn’t have to be mine. But if it makes you feel harmonious, joyful, authentic, and elevated, you are also giving that gift to the world.

[I invite you to explore how to better understand your version of beauty, your taste, and your style through my new online course, Discovering Your Inner Style, an Adventure in Dressing Authentically.]

The post What is Beauty? What is Considered Beautiful? appeared first on Shopping for the Real You.